IPL 2018: Wants to finish as the highest wicket-taker of this season, says Jofra Archer

Representing England at International level is ultimate dream of Archer.

Jofra Archer –a Barbadian born freelance cricketer, who is the second-costliest uncapped player with INR 7.2 crore in this IPL 2018, said his ultimate dream is to represent England in Test cricket.

But the all-rounder, who hogged the limelight for his match-winning spell (22/3 in four overs) for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Mumbai Indians (MI) in his debut IPL 2018 match on Sunday (22 April), is currently aiming to finish as the highest-wicket taker of this 11th season of the lucrative T20 league.

With the earnings from IPL, the 24-year-old wants to give himself and his family a better standard of living, as well as, earn more experience while playing County Cricket and T20 leagues across the world.

However, Archer will have to wait for four more years to realize his dream of donning England jersey at international level, as he will complete England Cricket Board’s (ECB) seven-year nationality rule in 2022.

The fast bowler grabbed many eyeballs during this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) where he picked 17 wickets at an economy rate of 7.88 for Hobart Hurricanes.

As per reports in Hindustan Times, Archer said, “I didn’t grow up in abundant fortune. With the earnings from IPL, I can make up for the stuff that I didn’t have as a child. I can give myself and the family a better standard of living.”

Commenting on England’s citizenship rules, he said, “There is nothing I can do about it. I don’t want to rush. In this duration, I will play county cricket and T20 leagues to earn more experience.”

Archer, who has regularly seen clocked over 140 kmph against MI in his IPL debut game, missed few matches of the Royals due to a side strain, targeting two to three wickets in every match so that he can finish as highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

The Barbados-born all-rounder further added, “My personal aim was to be the highest wicket-taker this IPL. That was the target I set after I was picked by Rajasthan Royals but I missed the first few matches due to a side strain. So, I don’t know whether I would be able to do that now. But in the remaining games, I want to take two to three wickets every match. That’s my target now.”

On being asked about rising expectations, Archer said, “I don’t think it (attention) is affecting me. A lot of things can change drastically in this format. My focus is to do well for Rajasthan. I am working on my fitness and hopefully, I will be able to reach the optimum level very soon.”

Jofra signed off by saying, “I arrived late for IPL and still haven’t interacted much with Shane Warne (mentor of Rajasthan). Once he comes back from Australia, I will get better direction.”